published: Friday, October 05, 2012

Human trafficking is a real thing

Editor:

I am writing this letter due to the love and passion I have towards those I believe hold the key to our future. I believe we all are leaders and we have an obligation to our families and communities to build, educate and motivate our children, teenagers and young adults to be the very best they can be. Leading by example, the willingness to stand alone and fight for what's right and honorable before man and before God.

I believe in our communities; that is why my family and I are "calling out" Highlands and all surrounding counties to make an outcry and a stand for all victims of human trafficking. My niece, Natanalie, has been missing over three months, last seen in Miami June 1, 2012 . Natanalie became a victim of human trafficking by coercion, and deception of a close friend. Natanalie was offered a job and a safe place to live in Miami, making it impossible for her to pass this great opportunity to make it as a singer. Natanalie went to Miami and was left in there by same individual who was very aware of what she would face. This individual returned to our county without notifying police or family of the danger of Natanalie. Months later, Natanalie was able to come home and share some of the dreadful things that happened to her; however, not without threats from same individual, who stated to Natanalie that she would let the whole county know she was a prostitute, and that she was the one that set her up. Natanalie was afraid to be seen by anyone in our county with fear of being judged. She felt she would not be believed here or accepted by her community. For the fear of her safety and her family she left her home town and now has mysteriously disappeared days before she called that she was home sick and coming back to her home town.

I believe in our communities; that is why my family and I are "calling out" Highlands and all surrounding counties to make an outcry and a stand for all victims of human trafficking. My niece, Natanalie, has been missing over three months, last seen in Miami June 1, 2012 . Natanalie became a victim of human trafficking by coercion, and deception of a close friend. Natanalie was offered a job and a safe place to live in Miami, making it impossible for her to pass this great opportunity to make it as a singer. Natanalie went to Miami and was left in there by same individual who was very aware of what she would face. This individual returned to our county without notifying police or family of the danger of Natanalie. Months later, Natanalie was able to come home and share some of the dreadful things that happened to her; however, not without threats from same individual, who stated to Natanalie that she would let the whole county know she was a prostitute, and that she was the one that set her up. Natanalie was afraid to be seen by anyone in our county with fear of being judged. She felt she would not be believed here or accepted by her community. For the fear of her safety and her family she left her home town and now has mysteriously disappeared days before she called that she was home sick and coming back to her home town.

Therefore, we want to tell Natanalie and victims just like her that there are more that are willing to stand with her than those that are against her. Please stand with us and support us on the countdown of Natanalie's birthday starting Sept. 18, 2012 to Oct. 18, 2012 from 6:30-8 a.m. and 6-7:30 p.m. She will turn 20 years old.

We are doing this for the safety of our community, awareness and an outreach to the victims of human trafficking.

Maria L. Mitil